What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Sept 26-28)
Welcome to fall, y’all! It’s certainly switched from summer weather into the crisper autumn vibes and we were SO here for it! There are oodles of fun ideas to get you out & about, enjoying this season – including our own Bucket List Bingo cards!
A reminder that Tuesday, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Schools & businesses will be closed. We’ve included local events we found in the round up below.
Looking for some great resources to share with little kids about the day? Check out CBCKids.ca!
We’ve updated our annual list of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, & more for your autumn adventure planning – but here are some quick tidbits for you!
🍎 Belliveau Orchard 🍎La Fleur du Pommier 🍎Le Verger Goguen 🍎Appleview Orchards are all open & 🍎 Irishview Orchard is opening Saturday for the seaon!
🌽 The Green Pig Country Market’s corn maze is open for the season (pirate theme), Trueman Blueberry Farm has a Sesame Street theme corn maze (along with all other kinds of fun – including ice cream flavour of the week Garbage Can), and Boyle Family Farm is open Thursdays to Sundays, 10am-6pm, until Halloween.
🎃 And if you’re up for a drive, check out the amazing creations at Coburn Farms’ Pumpkin Yard in Keswick Ridge. So fun!!
For more details about each of these places & more, check out our Fall Guide!
The Codiac Cyclones Speed Skating Club is hosting a free Learn to Skate session tonight at the Arthur-J-Leblanc Arena in Dieppe. Beginners are welcome from 5:30-7pm, while those with basic skills interested in speed skating can participate from 7-8:30pm. You must bring skates, helmet, knee pads, gloves, and long sleeve clothing.
If you’ve driven by the Coliseum this week, you already know that East Coast Amusements is back! They’re scheduled to open at 3pm on Thursday & Friday, noon on Saturday & Sunday. Watch their social media for updated on closing times; it varies depending on the weather & the crowd. You can buy a a daily wristband for $45, or tickets (25 for $30, 50 for $50)
Greater Moncton Navratri Festival begins at 6pm tonight at the Moncton Coliseum. Expect two nights of dancing, music, food, & more! Children 10 & under are free to attend.
Cap Acadie is celebrating AutomneFest Sept. 26-28, kicking off with Foodie Friday – a food truck celebration with live music, 4-9:30pm.
Salisbury’s Harvest Fest kicks off with a free outdoor concert at Highland Park tonight with Pier 19, starting at 7pm.
🎳 Glow Bowling is back at Fairlanes, 6pm-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.
If you’re up for a scare, head to Miramichi today! The MiraCon Festival Association‘s Horror Fest is filled with fantastic activities, vendors, and special guests – including actors Julian Richings & Jodelle Ferland. (Seriously impressive – you might not recognize their names, but you’ll recognize their faces from Twilight & Supernatural, to name just two of their many roles.)
The Riverview Fire Station is hosting a Car Seat Safety Clinic today, 10am-2pm. You can make an appointment online or text/call Natalie @ 506-872-1213 to reserve your spot. This is a free service & one we highly recommend!
Salisbury’s Harvest Fest is an afternoon filled with family fun– animals, hayrides, BBQ & corn boil, games from 1-4pm, and hopefully fireworks at 8pm (conditions permitting). (Also in Salisbury, Loopy Wool has a beginner needle felting workshop today. Cost is $105, with all the supplies & guidance.)
Saturday is the is the Downtown Moncton Shop Hop! Visit Starving Artist, Working Class, Kept on Main, Mistic Moon Books & Brews, LaRouère fabrique de chocolat, B home, & Tree’s Tee’s for specials – and all the other great downtown spots, too!
Scholar’s Choice has a drop in board game event today. Stop by the store to test out some new games, 10am-2pm. (You’re asked to register for this free event.)
Afro-Caribbean Festival of New Brunswick takes place at Moncton’s Riverfront Park today.
East Coast Amusements is scheduled to open at noon on Saturday & Sunday. Watch their social media for updated on closing times; it varies depending on the weather & the crowd. You can buy a a daily wristband for $45, or tickets (25 for $30, 50 for $50)
Greater Moncton Navratri Festival continues at the Moncton Coliseum.
The City of Dieppe is holding activities to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There will be a ceremony at the Arts & Culture Centre starting at 2:30pm, with traditional drumming and dancing, video testimony from a residential school survivor, Mi’kmaq and Acadian dishes, and an evening cultural exchange (5-7pm). The musical group The Hello Crows will perform at the Dieppe Arts & Culture Centre at 7:30pm; that’s a ticketed event.
The Cap-Acadie Community Market takes place as part of AutomneFest, 9am-1pm, with more than 80 vendors, Art in Your Face with more than a dozen artists on site, food trucks, family events, and more.
🍎 Irishview Orchard is opening today, 9am-5pm.
🎳 Glow Bowling is back at Fairlanes, 6pm-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.
Author Eric Fontaine & Charlie, his mouse character (not a live one!), will be at Marcel Goguen Farm in Cocagne today! Stop by between 1 & 3pm to hear about Charlie’s adventures, pick up some apples & other treats, and take part in a fun scavenger hunt for Charlie throughout the farm.
Today at Dieppe’s Doiron House, there’s a drum healing circle, traditional shawl-dancing, and healing workshop to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day. This is a free event that begins at 2pm.
Michael’s has a Sunday Kids’ Club session today, 2-4pm, creating Halloween-themed lanterns.
East Coast Amusements is scheduled to open at noon on Saturday & Sunday. Watch their social media for updated on closing times; it varies depending on the weather & the crowd. You can buy a a daily wristband for $45, or tickets (25 for $30, 50 for $50)
The Cap-Acadie Community Market, part of AutomneFest, continues today, 11am-3pm, vendors, artists, and a car show with the Cap-Acadie Cruisers.
These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 
for our TEEN & TWEEN picks! Some of these are still great with littles, too, but we know it can be tricky to come up with ideas the older kids will enjoy – or can be sent to on their own.
REMEMBER: We’re not always able to update if there are changes due to weather, etc. Please click through the links & call ahead to confirm details for yourself when making plans!
OUTDOOR FUN
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open daily.
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
Faith First Mini Horses offers pony walks & cuddles; check their site and reach out for availability.
Poley Mountain is open in the fall for hiking, biking, & more.
Drive In Movies are perfect fall outings, especially with teens! Check out what’s playing at 
Shediac’s Neptune Drive In & the Sussex Drive In.
East Coast Karting is open (weather permitting). Check their Facebook for updates & details!- DYK
There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps when weather permits. 
There’s a roughly one hour iTour of downtown Moncton’s historical & cultural locations you can use to help you explore – a great way to add a little movement, a little history, and a little fun to your family outings! Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!
INDOOR FUN
The indoor splash pad at the YMCA North End is an amazing option for kiddos – with public openings every day of the week! Check the schedule as times vary day-to-day; cost to attend for non-member is $6.- For indoor swimming, there are public options at the YMCA Greater Moncton (love their small, warmer pool for little ones), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centrein Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!).
Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.
Burn off energy at SkyZone Moncton; half-price entry on Tuesday nights, and Glow Zone on Fridays & Saturdays.
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays, including long weekends.)
MR21 is ‘low key Moncton’s best kept secret’ as my kids say. An incredible visual presentation that tells the history of the Acadian community in a beautiful cathedral in downtown.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.- Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!
The Bunker on Main Street in Moncton is a great indoor golf option & does have times kids are allowed. They also now have a race car simulator! There are more than 50 cars you can choose from & more than 30 tracks to try – it’s not a little kid game.
Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview, check out glow bowling times at Fairlanes in Moncton, or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.)
Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats!
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!
Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
Book laser tag at the Sportsdome or Marco’s!
Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic usually has a few non-scary, kid-friendly options & Mystery Moncton Mystere is great for the teens & up. There are also online options you can purchase to play on your own time.
Need to unleash some anger? Book a session at the Wreck Room!
Teens & youth (ages 12-25) can book a two-hour spot at Riverview’s Sound Lab for just $2/person. The lab has professional recording software, an electric guitar, bass guitar, electric drum kit, keyboard, microphones, & two amps.
Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions, Sunday Lorcana Locals, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events.
Board Miniatures also hosts regular table top sessions for various games & free board game days, too!
BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect, with lots of programming open to everyone.
Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquariumwith striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.
Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars have a great space for kiddos looking to bounce around and burn off energy while learning tumbling and cheer moves. Check out their new member trial package & their upcoming events.
Markets & More
- The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturday mornings, with fantastic options for local goodies.
- Many smaller communities also have markets & great hidden eating gems, like Salisbury’s Farmer’s Market and the Green Pig Country Market, as well as the Old Church Farmer’s Marketin Hillsborough.
- A cool spot to shop & enjoy a riverside stroll is the Starving Artist Cafe in Moncton.
- Magnetic Hill Wharf Village is still open for the season.
FUN EATS
A few fun cafes for you to consider …
- Indulge all your fall fantasies with a visit to The Raven in Lakeville, featuring PSL, caramel apples, live music & more outdoors.
- Tambayan Cafe is a fun 2D cafe in Riverview with yummy treats, coffee, fries, & more.
- Add a photo booth shoot to your sweets order at Click & Chew in Dieppe; super fun idea for a special celebration or any day.
- We’re always down to pretend we’ve hopped a plane to France with a trip to Tony’s for pastries. They have three great spots to explore – the original bistro on McLaughlin, Dieppe, and now in Downtown Moncton!
- Crumbl FOMO? Head to our own The Cookie Jar in Dieppe! It’s super cute & yummy – and right next to the awesome Bennic Dairy Bar for ice cream creations!
- Halo Donuts & lostandfound ice cream are next door neighbours on St. George Street, another great combo. (You can also find Halo in the North End, open Wed-Sun.)
- And if bread & pastries are what you want, Co Pain Artisan Bread Company is where you need to go!
- In search of a special? Check out The Daily Feast for great overview of local restaurants, their deals, & more.
We’ve started to see some of the annual Halloween events posting their details; we’ve started work on our annual Halloween Round Up & will have it ready for you by the start of October!
The City of Moncton will host a ceremony starting at 11:30am on September 30 to honour Truth & Reconciliation Day.
MAGMA’s Community Compass event is back! Head to Edith Cavell school on Thursday, October 2 from 5-7pm for a free, fun event – bouncy castles & activities for the kids, and dozens of booths from local organizations. A great chance to find out what’s happening in the community.
October 3-5 is Legs for Literacy Race weekend in Moncton; be sure to plan accordingly for traffic delays. There’s a 1K family/kids’ race on Saturday morning; you register in advance online, fee is less than $25.
The Neptune Drive-In is celebrating the launch of Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl with a party October 3, 4, & 5! Gates open at 5pm, there’ll be a photo booth, costumes encouraged, and the screening of the music video & more at 7:30pm.
Kept on Main is hosting a fantastic fall market in Oak Lane on October 4 (10am-3pm) PLUS it’s Harvest Fest at Marche Moncton Market (8am-2pm). All kinds of great local vendors to support & celebrate!
October 5-11 is national Fire Prevention Week, with many local departments planning events – including an Open House at the Hildegard Station in Moncton and an Open House in Riverview (with a pancake breakfast!) on Saturday, October 4.
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Moncton Fire Department’s annual Open House event in celebration of Fire Prevention Week! 
Explore fire trucks, rescue vehicles and witness a Jaws of Life demonstration. A barbeque will also be offered with the option to donate funds in support of the Moncton Firefighter’s Burn Fund.
The City of Moncton’s sixth annual Heritage Week is October 14-18, with lots of interesting events if you like history and cool buildings. There’s a downloadable Heritage Scavenger Hunt, too! (Speaking of the City, are you familiar with their neighbourhood rink program? Get together & create a skating rink at your local playground this winter; applications now open.)
The Nor’easter: Robot Combat Club has a tournament coming up in Riverview October 11 & are accepting new competitors.
Missed the Moncton Multiples Sale? Or maybe you went & are wishing for more? Head to Grapevine Events’ Fall & Winter Consignment Pop Up October 3 & 4! And the best part – if you come down on Saturday, most items are 50% off! Tickets are on sale now for 3pm entry on Friday – though if you’re expecting or have a newborn, there’s a sponsored New Parents/Grandparents special thanks to Royale Diapers! Entry to the sale is free Friday night (5-8pm) & Saturday (10am-1pm).
